*Photo: Dr Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development *
The House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 2, passed for a second reading a bill seeking to establish a solid minerals community development commission to protect communities where solid minerals are being mined in the country.
The sponsor, Hon. Sunday Anamero Dekeri (APC, Edo) said the bill when passed into law will complement the Petroleum Industry Act by promoting inclusivity of the host communities in solid minerals production.
Dekeri said the solid minerals sector has great potential to diversify the Nigerian economy and encourage wealth production while reducing insecurity across the country.
He argued that the establishment of the commission will help address the high level of induction of Nigerian youths by terror groups, as they will not feel a sense of belonging as they will be treated as stakeholders in the sector.
He lamented incidences of illegal mining in communities across the country which he said has fueled insecurity, adding that solid mineral is a God-given resource that predates the discovery of oil in the country and is available in almost all states of the federation.
He explained that the Bill seeks to provide a Legal Framework to Establish the Nigerian Solid Minerals Communities Development Commission to complement what we have achieved with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
He said: “The echoes of our glorious past still resonate! Solid minerals were the bedrock of our economic strength in the years before independence. Coal, a mighty engine, powered our progress. We were a titan of the tin trade, and even held the crown as the world’s leading producer of columbite!
“These riches were not simply hoarded; they were wisely invested. The roads we travel on, the schools our children attend, the hospitals that care for the sick – all these were built on the foundation of solid minerals.
“Even the oil industry, the lifeblood of our modern economy, received its initial spark from these resources. Let this be a lesson for the future!
“We must awaken this sleeping giant, unlock the potential of our solid minerals once more, and write a new chapter of prosperity for all Nigerians, as every component state of our nation is a potential solid mineral-producing state.
“The wealth of our land, these precious solid minerals, are a unifier, not a divider! They are a constant reminder that our destiny is interwoven. These minerals are not just buried treasures; they are the Launchpad that will propel ALL of Nigeria forward.
“Imagine a nation where every region thrives, its resources used to create jobs and prosperity for every citizen. By working together, and harnessing this potential, we can finally silence the calls for resource control and build a stronger, more united Nigeria for all.
“The Establishment of the Nigerian Solid Minerals Communities Development Commission will diversify, boost income for virtually all states of the Federation, promote inclusiveness, increase our Gross Domestic Products of Nigeria, and attract Foreign Direct Investment for the benefit of Nigerians.”
